clumsy

play

adjective clum·sy \ˈkləm-zē\

Definition of clumsy

clumsier

;

clumsiest

1a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace clumsy fingersb : lacking tact or subtlety a clumsy joke
2 : awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy a clumsy contraption criticized her sentence for its clumsy construction

clumsily

play \-zə-lē\ adverb

clumsiness

play \-zē-nəs\ noun

See clumsy defined for English-language learners

See clumsy defined for kids

Examples of clumsy in a Sentence

I'm sorry about spilling your wine—that was very clumsy of me.
I have very clumsy hands and tend to drop things.
She made a clumsy attempt at a joke.

Recent Examples of clumsy from the Web

His clumsy attempts to ram health care reform through Congress have stalled his agenda even though his party controls both chambers, and his ham-handed efforts to shut down the Russia investigation saddled him with a special counsel.

— dana milbank, chicagotribune.com, "Trump demeans his country and mocks the world", 3 June 2017
When an offshore wind farm was proposed near one of his golf courses in Scotland, Trump developed a fervent (and often clumsy) opposition to wind energy.

— philip bump, Washington Post, "Nine reasons Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement doesn’t make sense", 1 June 2017
The rest of the novel is a whodunit, occasionally clumsy but entertaining.

— charles finch, New York Times, "Summer Thrillers: Daring Escapes and Other Acts of Derring-Do", 31 May 2017
Others have come in the Administration’s clumsy attempt to tell Walter Shaub, the head of the Office of Government Ethics, not to do his job.

— amy davidson, The New Yorker, "Michael Flynn and the Trump Administration’s Lobbyist Secrets", 23 May 2017
WorldSo far, the country’s response to the frozen conflict has been clumsy, draconian and self-defeating—but building homes and schools could be the strategy Kiev needs.

— Newsweek, "June 02 Issue", 2 June 2016
Except that, until June 16, each graceful attempt ended prematurely with a clumsy crash.

— paul boutin, WIRED, "The Next Step", 1 Sep. 2000

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clumsy'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clumsy

probably from obsolete English clumse benumbed with cold

NEW!

First Known Use: circa 1598

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of clumsy

awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct). awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact. periods of awkward silence clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill. a clumsy mechanic maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations. a maladroit politician inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy. a hopelessly inept defense attorney gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding. felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

CLUMSY Defined for English Language Learners

clumsy

play

adjective

Definition of clumsy for English Language Learners

: moving or doing things in a very awkward way and tending to drop or break things
: badly or awkwardly made or done
: hard to use : awkward to handle

CLUMSY Defined for Kids

clumsy

play

adjective clum·sy \ˈkləm-zē\

Definition of clumsy for Students

clumsier

;

clumsiest

1 : lacking skill or grace in movement clumsy fingers
2 : awkwardly or carelessly made or done a clumsy apology a clumsy error
3 : awkward to handle a clumsy package